11 replies to this topic

[nroeber78]

My truck was stolen while I was at a clients office on November 5th. I had a metric ton of crap in it... tools, gear, my M&P Shield, my 20 year old COFFEE CUP!!!!!, you name it, it was probably in there. Not to mention things my daughter made for me and a few other non-monetary valuables. 

 

I should have word today from insurance on what my next steps are since the truck has not yet been recovered.

 

 

I know a lot of you are like me and have everything in their vehicle. What is everyone doing to prevent their vehicle from being boosted? I'm thinking some alarm system but i really hate the aftermarket ones... I know if someone wants it bad enough and seasoned in their profession its as good as gone but wanted to get some other opinions and ideas.

[pira114]

That sucks brother. Sorry to hear that.

I don't really have theft protection. I'm lucky that at work I have secured parking. Everywhere else, I simply don't leave shit in my truck I don't want stolen, or I'm ok with losing.

Tools and shit can be replaced. No weapons ever left in truck. And crossed fingers after that. It has the factory horn type alarm, that's it. Well, two of my vehicles do. The old diesel doesn't have anything.

I've thought about ignition kill switches before, just never done it. I think that's the best route. Maybe I should get on that.

[PSDRyan]

All my gasoline vehicles have had lojack and fuel pump kills. My diesel has lojack and an additional, somewhat complex ignition kill i came up with.

[smokey]

I don't have any specific recommendations other than a manual being the best theft prevention. Personally I wouldn't bother with an alarm system to prevent theft, it has been proven that people do not pay attention when one is going off. In fact some time ago I was reading an article from a former car thief and he said the best time to steal a car was mid day in a walmart parking lot.  

[AaronK]

There are two way alarms that will alert you via the key fob that the alarm has been activated.

[MightyP]

Sorry to hear that. I wish you the best on getting it all sorted out.

 

I don't do too much to prevent the whole vehicle from being stolen. I do my best to make it look like there is nothing inside and, whenever possible, I park where the lot security cameras have a nice clear shot of my vehicle. 

 

Kill switches are cheap and effective. Just have to come up with a good place to hide it and remember to use it. Plus, it won't realistically save your stuff. Just your truck. Viper has a SmartStart thing that hooks in with your phone. It's expensive and has a monthly fee (it connects to cell towers), but lets you track your car, get messages when your car is unlocked or broken into, start your car, etc. Obviously connecting your car to the internet has its own risks, but it's another option.

 

In any case, I hope it works out for you.

 

No weapons ever left in truck.

 

Unfortunately, for us non-LEO types, that's not always an option unless we leave it at home. Going into my kid's school and any sporting events, I can't carry. 

[littleninja]

I keep the interior visibly clear of anything outside of an ice scraper and umbrella. I also created a low-brow Lojack. Velcro'd an old smartphone into the interior of the trunk (concealed). Served 2 purposes: GPS if it got stolen, GPS and COMS if I got nipped by a weirdo. 

Sorry to hear your truck got lifted - all that stuff is replaceable but it still sucks. LOL'd at the coffee mug of legal age (damn!!)
 

[Hidyn]

Ironically car theft has been dramatically increasing now that anti-theft devices have become 'sophisticated'.

Good call on the kill switches. I might do that this weekend.

[nroeber78]

a part of me wants to get something like a prius - no one wants those! but i have to much need for a pickup ... i'll probably go kill switch/lojack route... I guess auto theft prevention is kind of like firewalling your network.... if they want it bad enough they'll get in. 

 

Thanks for the ideas gents!

[pira114]

a part of me wants to get something like a prius - no one wants those! but i have to much need for a pickup ... i'll probably go kill switch/lojack route... I guess auto theft prevention is kind of like firewalling your network.... if they want it bad enough they'll get in. 
 
Thanks for the ideas gents!

I have a '92 F250 NON turbo diesel. I've left it running, unattended, for long periods in public. So yeah, drive something no one would steal. Haha.

[Jersey0311]

I can't even imagine going through that. I also have a pickup that's everything work related for me. I hope you get things sorted out brother.

 

And it's time for me to find someone to install kill switches in my POV too.

[spenceman]

You had me at 20 year old coffee cup, I'd be going all Man on Fire on those assholes over that. For me.... my coffee cup is my reason for not murdering people daily.

 

I weep for you, but not the poor bastard that took your stuff. No, he deserves whatever is coming.